Mark 16
The Women at the Sepulchre; The Apostles ReprovedThis section tells what happened early on the first day of the week, after Jesus’ death and burial. The women who loved Jesus came to his tomb, expecting to care for his body. They discovered the stone was rolled away, and an angel told them that Jesus had risen. The angel gave them a message for the disciples, especially for Peter. The women were amazed and afraid as they hurried to share the good news.v. 1: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1 a). This was a sign of their love and respect for Jesus. Even though Nicodemus had already brought spices before (John 19:39 b), these women still wanted to do more for him. Their devotion shows that we should always honor Jesus, no matter what others have done before. v. 2–4: Very early in the morning, just after sunrise, the women went to the tomb. As they walked, they worried about who would move the heavy stone from the entrance. When they arrived, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away (Mark 16:3-4 c). Their love for Jesus helped them move past their worries, and God had already solved the problem for them. When we seek Jesus with all our heart, God often removes the difficulties in our path. – – v. 5: The women entered the tomb and saw a young man dressed in a long white robe, sitting on the right side. This was an angel. They were frightened, even though his presence meant good news. Sometimes, things that should comfort us can be scary when we do not understand them. v. 6: The angel said, Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him(Mark 16:6 d). The angel reminded them that Jesus had been crucified, but now he is alive again. This resurrection proved Jesus is the Son of God and that his sacrifice was accepted by God. The cross, once a symbol of shame, is now a sign of victory and hope (1 Corinthians 2:2; Revelation 1:18 e). v. 7: The angel told the women to go quickly and tell the disciples, and especially Peter, that Jesus was risen and would meet them in Galilee, just as he had promised (Matthew 26:32 f). This showed that Jesus still cared for his disciples, even though they had deserted him. Peter is named separately to encourage him, since he had denied Jesus. Jesus wanted Peter to know that he was still forgiven and welcome. v. 8: The women hurried away from the tomb, trembling and amazed. They were so afraid and overwhelmed that at first they did not tell anyone they met on the way (Mark 16:8 g). Their fear made it hard for them to share the good news right away. Sometimes, our fears can keep us from doing what God wants, but faith in Jesus gives us courage and joy. Christ's Appearances to Mary Magdalene and the Two DisciplesThis section describes two of Jesus’ first appearances after his resurrection. It also shows that the disciples found it hard to believe the good news at first, even when people they trusted told them about it.v. 9: Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene in the garden (John 20:14 h). Mary was the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She loved Jesus deeply because he had changed her life. Jesus honored her by letting her be the first to see him alive again. The closer we stay to Jesus, the more we can experience his love and presence. v. 10–11: Mary went to the disciples, who were mourning and weeping, and told them what she had seen (Mark 16:10 i). Even though she brought good news, they did not believe her. They thought it was too good to be true, or maybe she was imagining things. If they had remembered what Jesus had said about rising again, they would have believed her more easily (John 16:20 j). – v. 12: After this, Jesus appeared to two other disciples as they were walking in the countryside (Mark 16:12 k). This is the same story told in more detail in Luke 24:13-31 l, when Jesus joined two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus looked different, so at first they didn’t recognize him. Only when he allowed their eyes to be opened did they realize who he was. v. 13: These two disciples went back and told the others what had happened (Mark 16:13 m). Still, the rest of the disciples did not believe them either. God allowed this slow process because it showed that the disciples did not believe blindly or out of wishful thinking. Their doubts make their later strong faith and preaching more trustworthy, because they only believed when they were fully convinced. Christ's Appearance to the ElevenThis section describes how Jesus appeared personally to the eleven disciples after his resurrection. He corrected their doubts and gave them an important mission. Jesus also promised that his followers would receive special signs to confirm the truth of their message.v. 14: Jesus appeared to the disciples as they were eating together (Mark 16:14 n). He showed them proof that he was really alive and even ate with them to help them believe (Acts 10:41 o). Jesus also corrected them because they had not believed the earlier reports of his resurrection. Their unbelief was not because of weak evidence, but because their hearts were hard. Jesus expected them to trust the testimony of those who saw him, even if they had not seen him themselves (Matthew 28:17 p). v. 15: Jesus gave the disciples a new mission. He told them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person. Before this, they had only shared the message with the Jewish people, but now it was for everyone, everywhere. The disciples could not do this all by themselves, but they would start spreading the good news, and others would continue after them. The message of Jesus is for all people and should be shared as widely as possible. v. 16: Jesus explained the main message of the gospel: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned(Mark 16:16 q). Believing in Jesus and following him leads to salvation. Baptism is a sign of this faith, but it is believing in Jesus that truly saves a person (Romans 10:9 r). Those who refuse to believe the gospel will not be saved, because they reject God’s way of forgiveness. v. 17–18: Jesus promised that believers would be given special signs to support their message (Mark 16:17 s). Some of these signs included casting out demons, speaking in new languages, and being kept safe from snakes or deadly poison (Acts 28:5-6 t). They would also heal sick people by laying hands on them (James 5:14 u). These miracles would show that God’s power was truly with them, so others would believe their message about Jesus. – The AscensionThis section describes how Jesus finished his work on earth and returned to heaven. It also shows how his followers continued his mission, and how God supported them with special signs and power. The ascension of Jesus is both the end of his earthly ministry and the beginning of his heavenly rule.v. 19: After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he was taken up into heaven (Mark 16:19 v). He was welcomed into God’s presence, entering heaven in glory, just as described in Acts 1:9 w. Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, which means he now rules with power and honor. He finished his work on earth, so he rests in victory, but he also reigns as King over all. Everything God does for us now is through Jesus, who is glorified with the same glory he had before the world existed. v. 20: After Jesus ascended, the apostles went everywhere to preach the gospel. Even though their message was very different from what the world expected, and they faced much opposition, they were bold and faithful. God worked with them, confirming their message with miracles and changing people’s hearts. These “signs following” included healings, conversions, and the spread of the good news to many nations (Romans 10:18; Hebrews 2:4 x). This shows that God was truly with them, and we can pray that these blessings will continue for the honor of Christ and for the good of people everywhere.
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